Track festive drinking with mobile application

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron has launched a new mobile phone application that will help people to keep track of their drinking over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Department of Health has released the first official alcohol tracker application for mobile phones in time for the festive celebrations.

Available from iTunes and the NHS Choices website, it will help people: work out how many alcoholic units there are in a glass of wine or pint of beer; see how much alcohol they have consumed over a set period; get personalised feedback on their drinking habits; and find local NHS clinics and advice centres.

Ms Merron said: “It is all too easy to lose track of how much you drink. So as the festive parties start to build up, this innovative tool will help people keep tabs on their drinking – wherever they are.

“It’s one of many ways the government is helping people to understand how much they are drinking. Sticking within the NHS recommended limits means you reduce the risk of serious conditions such as mouth cancer and strokes.”

Alcohol misuse is believed to cost the NHS £2.7 billion a year.

The NHS recommended levels for ‘lower-risk’ drinking are that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day, and 2-3 units a day for women.

Chief Executive of Drinkaware, Chris Sorek, said: “Efforts to help people keep track of how much they’re drinking over the festive season and throughout the year are a good idea.”